FC Barcelona start their pre-season against Bayern Muncih in the 2013 Uli Hoeness Cup, where old head coach Pep Guardiola is currently in charge.

Newly appointed Barca manager Gerardo Martino will not be travelling with the squad, having only been appointed as Tito Vialnova’s successor on Tuesday, and therefore Jordi Roura and Rubi will lead the side.

Vilanova’s sudden resignation last Friday due to ongoing health issues meant the Catalans were in no fit state to play against Polish club Lechia Gdansk on Saturday – a match that would have been their first friendly, but has now been postponed to July 30.

Barca will therefore face the reigning European champions in their first match and will have to do so without Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Neymar and Dani Alves – who are all resting after the Confederations Cup – whilst captain Carles Puyol remains absent with injury.

Superstar Lionel Messi will play though and support will be provided by the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Javier Mascherano.

Bayern meanwhile have already played six pre-season matches under Guardiola, continuing where the Germans left off last year by scoring 35 goals and conceding just one.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has played just one of those last four ties however but is expected to return against Barca, whilst Jerome Boateng, Daniel Van Buyten and David Alaba are all likely to feature at the back.

A full strength side for the Bundesliga champions will also include Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller, along with new signing Thiago Alcantara and impressive striker Mario Mandzukic.

Guardiola is clearly looking to make a point to the club he managed for four years and has recently spectacularly fallen out with.